Chapter 515

There is certainly no time to drop by for a visit now, nor time to think of other things.

But since Zhu Youjian has come, there must be a reason.

Zhu Youjian did not mention the main matter for the moment, pointing directly at the large bass over two chi long and saying, "I came today intending to mooch a meal. Such a large bass is something even I rarely get to eat. It is a rare occurrence; would Su Qing be stingy?"

"Your Majesty jokes. If Your Majesty is willing to stay for a meal, this subject is naturally delighted, but my place is rather simple; please do not hold it against me, Your Majesty."

Delighted my foot; Su Qiao did not want Zhu Youjian mooching a meal.

He and Liu Rushi were drinking wine and eating delicacies, enjoying themselves immensely, and then the Emperor arrived; who could be happy about that?

These were all just polite words.

Zhu Youjian did not care whether what Su Qiao said was polite words or not.

Anyway, looking at Su Qiao's life, he felt a bit envious.

The feeling of a picnic in the wild also made his heart itch, wanting to try it himself.

So, disregarding Wang Chengen's protests on the side, he directly called people to join in.

Su Qiao had brought cooks from the restaurant, along with pots, pans, and bowls.

As for the food, it was mainly the fish Su Qiao had caught.

Including the large bass over two chi long caught just now, there were several in total.

Anyway, seven or eight people tasting the fresh catch would be no problem.

The cooks were first startled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Zhu Youjian.

Then they became excited.

If their cooking skills could be valued highly by the Emperor, wouldn't they have a chance to become famous chefs?

The more they thought about it, the more feasible it seemed; they lost their previous fear and instead worked even harder.

The seasonings brought in Su Qiao's carriage, he tasted one by one to try their flavors.

Sometimes his eyes lit up, sometimes they showed confusion.

But soon he started grilling the fish, and the aroma slowly spread.

"Su Qing, you did not attend the morning court today. The Minister of Rites told me that the imperial examinations have been delayed for several years and asked if I should reopen the special examination; I agreed, but I do not intend to focus on the eight-legged essay as before!"

Zhu Youjian said this while sitting beside Su Qiao.

There were few people around, only Su Qiao, Luo Yangxing, and Wang Chengen.

Liu Rushi had long ago hidden to the side and not come over.

Hearing this, Su Qiao was startled; the imperial examinations, did he mean to cancel the eight-legged essay?

"Your Majesty means..."

"The eight-legged essay truly stifles the examinees' thinking too much. Besides, if it is merely The Four Books and Five Classics, it does not seem to be of much use to Great Ming."

When Zhu Youjian spoke these words, not only Wang Chengen and Luo Yangxing were dumbfounded.

Even Su Qiao suspected whether his brain had been swapped or if he was also some transmigrator possessing a soul.

These words sounded nothing like something Zhu Youjian, this Emperor of Great Ming, could say!

"Mobile phone, computer?"

Su Qiao's eyes looked strange as he probed in a low voice.

"What chicken?"

Zhu Youjian looked completely confused.

Su Qiao quickly shook his head and said, "Nothing, this subject misspoke. Let us talk about Your Majesty canceling the eight-legged essay; what plan do you have to assess the scholars? Do you intend to require only policy essays?"

"No, policy essays are important, but they cannot represent everything. I have not thought it through yet, so I specifically came to find you, my beloved subject, to ask if there is a way."

Zhu Youjian looked at Su Qiao and said.

Su Qiao's heart screamed a string of curses!

He was truly treating him like a "Ten Thousand Whys"!

But it was good he found the right person; he did have some ideas.

"Your Majesty, this subject has a slight idea. I will speak casually, and you may listen casually. Fortunately, Minister Luo and Eunuch Wang are also here; let us pool our wisdom."

"Speak quickly, my beloved subject!"

Zhu Youjian glanced at Wang Chengen and Luo Yangxing.

The two immediately mustered twelve points of spirit and looked intently at Su Qiao.

"Your Majesty, the purpose of the imperial examinations is to cultivate talent. Are those who can help Great Ming become strong all considered talent?"

"Of course they are!"

369, there is an assassin!

Zhu Youjian nodded without hesitation, his gaze burning as he stared at Su Qiao.

Clearly, he expected Su Qiao to reveal some substantial content.

Su Qiao continued, "Since Your Majesty considers those beneficial to Great Ming as talent, why should the imperial examinations be limited only to scholars? The victory in naval warfare depends not only on the bravery of Great Ming's naval officers and soldiers but also on the craftsmanship of the artisans. Without them forging cannons with ranges far exceeding those of the Dutch, and warships more suitable for naval warfare, victory would not be so easy."

Hearing him say this, how could Zhu Youjian not understand what Su Qiao meant?

"Does Su Qing wish to elevate the status of artisans and have them participate in the imperial examination selection?"

"Selection is fine, but the imperial examination is not. Just establish grades, select artisans with superior skills to reward them, especially protecting the innovation of artisans, for example..."

Su Qiao then explained in detail to Zhu Youjian and the others what intellectual property protection was.

He also explained the benefits of encouraging artisans to invent.

The three of them, Zhu Youjian and the others, went from initial confusion and doubt to listening intently very quickly; they even forgot to eat the fish the cooks had prepared on the side.

"If we truly follow what Su Qing says, that would indeed be a good thing, but since this imperial examination cannot be done, at most we can issue an edict to have the Ministry of Works first divide them into grades for screening and evaluation."

Zhu Youjian naturally wanted to achieve everything in one step.

But whenever he wanted to sell to the Eastern Sea, the ministers in the court struggled desperately to block it.

If this new trouble arises now, who knows how the arguments will explode later.

He felt the most important thing was to screen a batch of talents.

There aren't enough talents!

"It is acceptable. Your Majesty's concerns are clear to this subject; we can proceed bit by bit, without trying to eat a Fatty in one bite."

Su Qiao guessed what Zhu Youjian hesitated over and worried about, so he spoke directly to offer a hint.

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian nodded in agreement. "Then for this imperial examination and scholar selection, does Su Qing have any proposals?"

"Your Majesty, scholar selection requires capable officials and competent ministers; therefore, one must at least know what the common people need, must go deep among the common people, and cannot remain seated high above, unable even to distinguish the five grains!"

Su Qiao spoke out directly.

"Then Su Qing's meaning is..."

"They need to be sent to the grassroots for an experience. Your Majesty can choose two methods. One is a fast, simple method: simply issue exam questions where the content focuses on what the common people need, questions that can test whether they possess the ability to handle trivial matters locally!"

"And the complex one?"

"The complex one would let the scholars participating in this imperial examination go to various County Magistrate offices or villages to study and experience, submitting their own experience reports, which must bear a Handprint from the Village Head or an elder representing the village, along with the County Magistrate's seal."

"Is that enough?"

"Of course not. To prevent some from cheating by spending money, naturally several more layers of review are needed, or they could be sent to another place for re-examination. As for how to prevent cheating, Your Majesty can discuss this with other ministers; for instance, entrusting it to Colonel Luo's Embroidered Uniform Guard or Eunuch Wang's Eastern Depot would both work; this subject will not concern himself with that."

Su Qiao said this without a moment's thought.

Hearing this, Zhu Youjian turned his head to look at Wang Chengen, whose face had turned somewhat green and who had maintained a blank expression all along, and felt that this indeed seemed feasible.

At the very least, according to what Su Qiao said, the scholars screened this way would indeed be able to quickly take on the duties of grassroots officials.

And there would be no more empty-headed fools who could only write good essays!

Such empty-headed fools appear in every imperial examination!

Not only would the Ministry of Personnel's review discover them, but Zhu Youjian himself had sometimes heard such reports.

If officials were screened according to Su Qiao's proposal, then the promoted and elevated officials would be exactly what Zhu Youjian needed!

"This method is good. Although it looks somewhat troublesome, the effect is the best. I do not worry about the trouble; I only worry about lacking talent. Following Su Qing's method, those remaining will be the foundation for the Great Ming's prosperity!"

Zhu Youjian's eyes shone brightly as he spoke with great excitement.

He had even already begun to imagine in his mind the scene of "all the talents of the world falling into the trap!"

Afterwards, Zhu Youjian remembered the prepared sea bass.

While eating, he also pulled Su Qiao into discussing some detailed issues.

Even though Su Qiao did not wish to get involved.

While eating, Zhu Youjian also mentioned that his preparations for sending troops to the Eastern Sea were nearly complete.